MIAMI � Most students spend the last weeks of school memorizing questions and answers for their final exams. On May 23, the eighth grade class of Sts. Peter and Paul School got to wear costumes and impersonate Cuban characters for one of their final exams.

Violeta Gil de Bazan, Spanish teacher, thought that the best way to instill a sense of culture and history in her students was to put on school play based on the classic public television show, �Que Pasa USA?� The bilingual show, which ran from 1977-1980, chronicles the difficulties and challenges of a Cuban immigrant family, the Pe�as.

The show handles the issues of prejudice, language, and assimilation with comedic �clat. The Pe�a family consists of a pair of sarcastic grandparents, English-butchering parents, and too-cool-for-Spanish teenagers. The grandparents, �Abuelo� Antonio and �Abuela� Adela, find themselves living in exile and dreaming of the Cuba that was. The parents, Pepe and Juana, work hard for the American dream, and the children, Joe and Carmen, try to find a balance between identifying themselves as American and appreciating their Hispanic background.

The students re-enacted the episode �Fiesta de Quince,� in which Carmen celebrates her 15th birthday, which is a coming-out party in Hispanic tradition. Joe finds the celebration antiquated and out of place while the rest of the cast, from Abuela to the flamboyant next-door neighbor, all pitch in to make the party a success.

Between acts, there was entertainment in the form of typical Cuban dancing and mock commercials.

Bazan found that the project was the best way for her students learn the culture, as well as practice the Spanish language.

AnneMarie Judd, who in real life has one set of Cuban-American grandparents, played the part of Carmen�s Anglo-American friend, Sharon. AnneMarie said she learned to understand Cuban humor as a result of her participation in the play.

�I learned about how Cubans and Anglo-Americans mixed with difficulty,� said Anna Ballat, who played Carmen�s friend, Violeta.

The students studied for their roles by learning about Miami�s history, watching the show, and memorizing their lines.

Robert Claro, who played the part of �Abuelo,� said he studied his own grandfather, and even borrowed his guayabera shirt to look the part.

Meghan Mirando enjoyed playing the part of Marta, the eccentric, nosy neighbor. It was easy to play the part, she said, finding that she could base her acting on many people she has known.

Carlota Morales, Sts. Peter and Paul principal, said the play went so well when the students staged it for each other that they decided to stage it for their parents and grandparents.

Now the question remains: What will the kids� grade be?